Coach Hank Haney leaves Tiger Woods

Hank Haney has resigned as Tiger Woods' swing coach, leaving the world number one at a time when he faces major problems both on and off the course.

Although the split seems amicable, there had been speculation during last week's Players Championship in Florida that Woods was about to leave Haney, rather than the other way round.

Haney, who started working with Woods in 2004, said in a statement he had enjoyed working with the 14-time Major winner but believed it was time for him to step aside.

"I will always look back upon our past half-dozen years together as my best days in professional golf," he said.

"It would be a dream of any coach to have a student like Tiger Woods and for me it has come true.

"Just so there is no confusion I would like to make it clear that this is my decision. I know Tiger Woods will be successful in the future no matter who helps him."

Haney replaced Woods' former coach Butch Harmon six years ago and encouraged him to flatter swing, with a less pronounced wrist cock.

After Phil Mickelson's win at the US Masters last month, the gap at the top of the World Rankings has closed. Woods then shot a 36-hole career-high total at Quail Hollow to miss the cut, before pulling out of last week's Players with a neck injury.

All this comes on the back of problems in his private life and speculation that wife Elin will be divorcing the superstar. 

"I've dealt with other things in my life where people said that I was pretty much done and come back," said Woods.

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